Former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) yesterday reiterated his opposition to direct links with China, saying the scheme cannot be recklessly implemented before the disputes over the two countries' relationship are settled.
Painting the initiative as "a war across the Strait without seeing the smoke from the weapons," he appealed to Taiwanese not to believe China's enticing propaganda and fall into a trap set by Beijing.
"Direct links to China do not just mean direct commerce, mail and transport. There is a war across the Strait to fight for Taiwan's independent sovereignty. China intends to annex Taiwan without mobilizing its forces," Lee said while attending a commencement ceremony at Chung-Li's Ching-Yun Institute of Technology, where TSU lawmaker Cheng Chen-lung (程振隆) serves as chairman.
"The initiative cannot be heedlessly carried out without widespread public support, without forging successful tactics and without clarifying the two countries' relations."
He said the plan was pushed forward by a foolhardy pro-unification media and China's "united front" tactics.
Expressing his apprehension about the nation's prospects, Lee said that, though the country has experienced political reform and completed its first power transfer, a clear national identity has yet to be formed.
He urged graduating students to carry out spiritual and educational reforms so they could reject the "slave mentality" and cultivate the ability to be "masters of the self."
Lee told the graduates to think about how to get to know themselves and how to establish a national consciousness.
Only by getting to know oneself can one make the right choices at crucial moments, Lee said. And only with a clear national identity can one avoid being self-centered and begin thinking for the sake of the whole society.
Eleven TSU lawmakers appeared at the graduation ceremony and had a half-hour talk with Lee.
TSU lawmakers said Lee did not directly say if the 13 TSU legislators should support Yao Chia-wen (
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